An Enhydro/Enhydros
is described as a natural water or fluid filled chamber that is found within a crystal or
mineral. Scientists prefer to call the majority of them “fluid inclusions,” not enhydros. Even though it is not always correct, wherever crystals with fluid inclusions are found for sale, whether at shows or on websites, the word "enhydro" is most commonly used and best known by hobbyists and mineral collectors as the name for all types of fluid inclusions. Scientifically, the term "enhydro" is usually reserved for two particular Agate formations
containing water. All types are described below. Crystals containing water are also referred to as Enhydrite Crystals. The
water/fluid is usually millions of years old
and is most likely very pure. The crystals or minerals grow around the liquid
deposits and trap it within forever, unless it is broken open by natural
conditions or manipulation by man. A large majority of fluid inclusion
chambers break during their growth cycle in the ground or after they are
freshly pulled out of the ground by miners or collectors. This breakage may be
caused by many factors, including changes in position, pressure, or
temperature. Many also break in transit after being mined and sent to dealers,
due to extreme changes in temperatures from different locations that they pass
through on the way. If the temperature in their transport box goes below
freezing, the water or fluid in the chamber can freeze and expand, causing the
chamber to break open. The chamber will then be dry and empty once the crystal
has defrosted. The liquid that was once within the chamber gets reabsorbed into
the crystal itself and evaporates. Poorly packaged crystals also fall prey to
breakage. It is wise to not ship such crystals or minerals when the possibility
of a freeze may be likely to occur. An empty enhydro/fluid inclusion chamber may
be referred to as a “Dry Enhydro,” which
sounds more like an oxymoron to me than anything else.

There is another unusual type of “dry enhydro.” Many fluid inclusion crystal
chambers contain mineral inclusions or other organic debris within them. A
large majority of the black inclusions found in quartz crystals, especially
those within fluid inclusions, are composed of Anthraxolite, which is also known
as Pyrobitumen. It is a fossiliferous
type of Hydrocarbon, and many people may refer to it simply as “carbon.” Anthraxolite is actually a form of fossilized sea life,
sometimes referred to as "Sea Cabbage." Other black inclusions that
may be found in the chambers are Black Tourmaline, Black Hematite, Graphite, Manganese, or one of
many other various materials. Also occasionally found in fluid inclusion chambers are dark
brown to yellow petroleum oil liquid substances. These oily liquids have been
likened to "fossil fuel." Quartz crystals containing liquid
yellow petroleum oil may be referred to as "Golden Enhydro"
crystals. Some crystals, mainly Quartz, may contain multiple black inclusions
scattered about within the crystal itself. Sometimes they appear to be within
the fluid chambers, but they are not. Careful
observation under magnification can help you tell the difference between the
two. These crystals may be referred to as “Black Spot Quartz." If the
crystal is heavily included with black material it may have a clear and
transparent, yet dark coloration. It may be referred to as “Clear Black
Quartz.” Both of these types of quartz crystals are most commonly found in China and Tibet. If a fluid inclusion chamber
with black inclusions inside of it has broken and lost its liquid,
there is a possibility that the solid included material may still be inside the
dry chamber. When the crystal is moved about, you may see the black
material/debris moving around inside the empty chamber if it is loose enough.
This type of chamber may be referred to as a
“Pepper Shaker” dry enhydro, another misnomer.

The contents inside a fluid inclusion chamber can be
either mobile or immobile. It depends on the physical proportions of the
chamber itself and the sizes of the contents within it. If the chamber is too
narrow, the gaseous and solid contents can get trapped inside the chamber with
the fluid and not move when repositioned. You are usually able to still see the
immobile air bubbles and/or the debris trapped inside the chamber. Occasionally
a flick with ones finger can dislodge bubbles or debris that are not too badly
trapped inside the chamber. They may just be too tightly packed together, so it
is always worth a try to see if you can release them from each other. Most
collectors prefer to have crystals with mobile contents,
even if they only move a couple of millimeters. Some may move up to several
centimeters, depending on the size of the crystal and the size of the fluid chamber. The air bubbles and/or debris in the fluid chambers
can move in various directions and at
different speeds. Again, it all depends on the size and shape of the chamber
and the matter within it. Some quartz fluid inclusion
chambers may contain only clear liquid, which fills the chamber completely. They have
an “underwater mirror-like” appearance to them. After you have familiarized
yourself with these types of fluid inclusions, you will
easily be able to identify them. If the fluid inclusion
chamber is large enough, you may be able to see the "water line" along the
chamber’s edges change slightly in shape as you move the crystal around.

A large majority of fluid inclusion chambers contain
air bubbles. The gas bubbles which are found in enhydro/fluid
chambers are usually composed of water vapor, methane, or carbon dioxide. An
air bubble will always float upward when you move the crystal in various
directions, unless it is trapped inside the chamber. Most chambers will hold
only one air bubble, but there are some rare ones that are capable of having
multiple air bubbles. In my collection I have a large Brazilian Elestial, or Skeletal Smokey Quartz crystal that has a
large long and narrow channel within the fluid inclusion
chamber. Approximately fifty air bubbles move through it one by one along the
entire width and length of the channel. They flow through it so quickly that it
is difficult to count exactly how many bubbles there actually are. They are all
perfectly clear and round, and measure in diameter from approximately 5-10
millimeters. Magnification is definitely not necessary to view that crystal.
What a beautiful sight it is to see! Some other air bubbles that one may find
in fluid chambers are coated or covered with solid
particles of black debris. A small piece of black debris may also be seen
attached to a clear air bubble. These black debris coated or covered air
bubbles are frequently referred to as “Black Snowballs.” Occasionally an air
bubble will be coated or covered with golden yellow Limonite, which gives it a
gold colored appearance. A bubble may even be coated with liquid petroleum.
The coated or covered air bubbles will almost always
float when moved. Particles of black or other debris within fluid
chambers will almost always sink when they are moved. Very rarely a minute
piece of black debris will float, even if it is not attached to an air bubble. Fluid inclusion chambers that contain fluid and solid debris,
without any air bubbles, may be referred to as “Swimmers.”

The majority of quartz crystals with fluid inclusions that I
have seen and own came from either Brazil,
Tibet, or China. Fluid inclusion crystals are most frequently found in those
countries. “Herkimer Diamond” quartz crystals from Herkimer, NY
are also frequently found with fluid inclusions. Other areas
where fluid inclusion crystals may often be found are Mexico, Madagascar,
India, Afghanistan, Australia,
and the United States.
The Cascade Mountains of the northwestern USA,
the OachitaMountains of Arkansas,
and occasionally other rare areas, like the Rocky
Mountains, will yield fluid inclusion quartz
crystals. Although these are the most well known sources of fluid inclusion
crystals, they can actually be found anywhere in the world if the conditions
were right during the crystal’s growth cycle. Amethyst and clear quartz
crystals from the Brandberg area of the GobobosebMountains in Namibia are known to be outstanding
examples of fluid inclusion crystals. I continue to be amazed
by what I call "Quaked Quartz" crystals, which are clear quartz
crystals from the Cascade Mountains. Many of
these clear quartz crystals show some Amethyst phantoms and wisps. Their external structure shows an irregular
chaotic growth pattern from the frequent earthquake activity there, yet the fluid inclusion chambers
within these crystals have stayed intact. In 2004, scientific researchers discovered that a mineral gel (silica)
is created when rocks abrade each other under earthquake-like
conditions. If it is present in faults during an earthquake, the gel
may greatly reduce friction between the rocks by providing lubrication
to the rock surfaces. Researchers sheared quartz-rich rocks against each other under
controlled conditions in this study. Perhaps this is why so many of
these crystals have maintained intact internal structures. Other unusual locations for finding fluid inclusion
quartz crystals are the frigid and treacherous
mining areas in Siberia, along a few other areas in Russia, such as the Far Eastern
region. Those crystals are extremely rare and quite interesting.

Fluid inclusions may even be found in crystals and
minerals other than quartz. Agate, also known as cryptocrystalline quartz, from
Brazil
frequently yields porous Agate Enhydro Geodes that
are filled, or partially filled with water. The Agate usually grows around the
water deposit. Many scientists feel that these “Agate Enhydros”
are the true "Enhydros", while the others
are referred to as “fluid inclusions.” These agate geode-like formations have a
constant flow of water running through them while they are still in the ground.
They resemble common geodes in appearance, being roundish
in shape and tannish or brownish in color on their
exteriors. They have a rather porous outer coating which allows the water to
flow in and out of them with ease. After they have been removed from the
ground, the groundwaters that flowed through them,
which kept them filled with water, will eventually dry out. Many collectors
keep these specimens in wet environments, such as aquariums, where they will
remain underwater. This is said to prevent them from drying out. I have yet to see a dried out agate enhydro geode reabsorb water. Some dealers insist that they will fill up with water again if soaked in a tub of water overnight. I tried soaking a few dried out specimens for 5+ years and they never absorbed a single a drop of water. Some of these agate enhydro geodes may have a slice removed from their tops.
The bared area then gets polished and is used as a viewing area, or “window,”
into the stone. Both the agate designs and water inside them can be observed.
The level of the water will shift and slosh around when it is moved in
different directions. They must be careful when removing the top slice for
polishing, or they can go too deep and rupture the encased water chamber.The water inside these agate enhydro geodes is not always eons of years old, since they
have a constant flow of water passing through them. Some of the water within
these agate enhydro geodes may be millions of years
old, a combination of old and fairly new water, or fairly new water only.

There is a second type of agate enhydro
formation. They are found in a less porous agate "nodule" which is most commonly found in Brazil. These
Agate Enhydro Nodules are also formed as the agate
grows around the water deposit. They are beautifully colored and patterned
agate nodules. This type usually has a roundish or an
oval flattened shape, so it cannot have a viewing window. Their outer beauty
compensates for that problem. You can still detect water inside them by shaking
them vigorously next to your ear. You will be able to hear and feel the water
sloshing back and forth inside them. Some may even have a thin enough outer
layer that you may be able to see the shadow of the water level inside them.
This can be done by placing them between two bright lights. Occasionally only
one light is necessary. The water level line may be seen moving as you move the
nodule around. These specimens are less likely to dry out, as they have a less
porous outer coating, yet many may still do so. I prefer to keep mine in clear
plastic bags. If they are being put on display, you can place them in well
sealed acrylic cases. The majority of these particular Agate Enhydro Nodules are very aesthetic and display worthy. Some colossal sized enhydro agates have been unearthed in Fuxin City, Liaoning
Province, China. Fuxin is known as the "City of Agate." These agates are often referred to as "boulders." The
largest one discovered at that location was in 2006. It was round, weighed 310kg, and
measured 63 centimeters in diameter. I am personally not aware of any larger
ones being discovered there since that time. Most of those spectacular boulders
have been hand carved with amazing detail and they still contain the water
inside them. The artisans carve the sculptures around the water chamber and may
even incorporate it into the design in some manner. These masterpieces are
usually found in museums, private collections, or for sale at high end auction
houses. They are extremely rare and carry a hefty price. They may also be referred to as "Chinese Water Agate" and "Enhydritic Agate." Other
agate nodules containing water, commonly referred to as "Water Agate," are also found in other areas of the world, such as Indonesia and in Oregon in the USA for example.

Water, or other fluid inclusions, are not only restricted to quartz
crystals and agate formations. Also, various types of fluids can be found
within many different types of minerals, although water is the most commonly
seen fluid inclusion. Saltwater and petroleum oil liquids are other types of
fluid inclusions occasionally found inside crystals and minerals. A fairly
recent find of yellow petroleum oil inclusions in quartz crystals has been made
on the border of Afghanistan
and Pakistan.
Quartz crystals with inclusions of yellow petroleum oil are often referred to
as "Golden Enhydros." Very rarely yellow petroleum oil has also been
reported to occur in some Herkimer Diamond quartz crystals from Herkimer, NY.
I have a few of them in my private collection. Please check your Herkimer
Diamond quartz crystals to see if their yellow color is being caused by
Limonite or Yellow Petroleum Oil! You will find that the yellow petroleum oil
is completely within the fluid inclusion chambers of the crystal. They can easily
be mistaken for each other, so really get "inside" them for a close
up view! Yellow petroleum oil fluid inclusions, even those found inside
Herkimer Diamond quartz, will fluoresce brightly under longwave ultraviolet
light, but yellow limonite will not. I have done some comparative studies on
double terminated quartz crystals, similar in appearance to Herkimer Diamond
quartz crystals, from multiple locations around the world. There are many
similarities and differences between these crystals, from both the same and
different locations. One of the most consistent and interesting findings is
amongst the quartz crystals from multiple locations containing solid black
fossilized anthraxolite/pyrobitumen inclusions. Under shortwave ultraviolet
light they have multiple scattered bluish-white and/or yellowish-white to
orange dots fluorescing throughout them. This fluorescence is very similar to
the fluorescence seen in many types of fossils. The quartz crystals containing
petroleum oil liquids also fluoresce in a light bluish-white or yellowish-white
color, but under longwave ultraviolet light more strongly. The entire fluid
filled chamber will fluoresce when the fluid inclusion is yellow petroleum oil.
The worldwide Herkimer-like crystals also all appear to have a similar shape,
which is short and double terminated, as is seen with “Herkimer Diamonds” clear
quartz crystals from Herkimer,
NY. Despite having the black
inclusions, a large majority of these crystals are still “crystal clear.” Some
localities have even adopted names similar to “Herkimers,” such as “Arkimers,”
or “Arkimer Diamonds,” a clear quartz from Arkansas. There are also “Oaxaccamers,” or
“Oaxaccamer Diamonds,” or “Amethyst Herkimers,” which are names for an Amethyst
crystal with the same kind of shape from Mexico.

Recent studies of the yellow fluid inclusions in quartz crystals from Argentina have
shown that many of their fluids are composed of hydrocarbons of an asphalt and paraffin
mix base. This yellow fluid may be alone or with other inclusions. Studies have
also shown that the yellow fluid inclusions found in the quartz crystals from
the Pakistan and Afghanistan
border are indeed natural yellow petroleum. These inclusions have also been
shown to contain methane gas bubbles, small pieces of black bituminous
material, and small amounts of water. There are many other studies regarding
the solid, liquid, and gaseous inclusions in minerals from around the world
currently in progress. I will provide further updates as they become available.

Several other minerals and crystals, besides the quartz varieties, have
been known to contain enhydros/fluid inclusions. Minerals, other than the
varieties of Quartz, in which I have personally seen fluid inclusions are:
Agate, Amber, Aquamarine, Beryl, Calcite, Cerussite, Copal, Danburite, Emerald, Fluorite,
Halite, Phenakite, Ruby, Sapphire, Selenite, Topaz, and Tourmaline. The water/fluid
within the natural Copal and Amber specimens is without a doubt millions of
years old. Fluid inclusions have also been found in Hematite and Hausmannite
from high-grade Wessels-type ore from the Kalahari Manganese Field in Africa. If you know of any other minerals containing
fluid inclusions, please let me know. By studying the mineral, fluid, and
gaseous inclusions within crystals, one can learn a great deal about the
physical, chemical, and/or environmental conditions which existed during the
growth cycles of the various crystals.

There seems to be some confusion regarding what the “inclusion phases”
are. Many people seem to be quite puzzled about what they are and how to tell
the difference between the three phases. The three phases are basically rather
simple to understand, since they are based on the three forms of matter:
liquid, gas, and solid. Most collectors have never seen a “Phase 3 Fluid
Inclusion,” or they did not examine the specimen closely enough to notice it.
The most commonly seen phases are the “Phase 2” fluid inclusions. “Phase 3”
fluid inclusions are the most difficult ones to find. It involves working under
a good amount of magnification and lighting, and it can be a long and tedious
“quest” finding them. I admit to being seriously addicted to enhydro and fluid
inclusion crystals! I can spend hours "inside" them and never get
bored! The three phases are described in full below. I hope this information
has been helpful to you.

Enhydro ~ Fluid Inclusion Phases:

PHASE 1: a chamber that is filled with water/fluid only (LIQUID)

PHASE 2: a chamber that is filled with water/fluid and an air bubble
(LIQUID & GAS)

PHASE
3: a chamber that is
filled with water/fluid, an air bubble, and solid debris (LIQUID, GAS, &
SOLID)

**Please note that
some may refer to a chamber containing water/fluid and solid debris as a Phase
2 inclusion because it contains two forms of matter, liquid and solid. Others may call it a
Phase 3 inclusion because it contains a solid. The illustration below shows examples
of all four of these types of fluid inclusions. Air bubbles and empty chambers, which once held fluid,
are not fluid inclusions/enhydros. Fluid inclusions must contain fluid/liquid!

If you have any questions regarding
enhydro/fluid inclusion crystals, feel free to contact me.

This Is My Favorite "Herkimer Diamond!" It Is 3 Inches Long & Contains 18+ Fluid Inclusions!
All 3 Phases Are Represented Several Times...Water, Air Bubbles, & Anthraxolite!

Tips For Viewing Enhydro ~ Fluid Inclusion
Quartz Crystals:

1. Hold the
crystal in your hand for a few minutes to warm it up prior to examining it.

2. Inspect the
crystal section by section, and mark each area with a small dot from a marker
or pen after you have finished examining it. Pen ink and Sharpie marker marks
can be easily removed with rubbing alcohol. This way you will not keep going
over the same areas multiple times.

3. Hold the
crystal in between two fingers and move it back and forth slowly at first. Some
bubbles or debris move slower than others. Once you know what you've got, then
you can move it back and forth more quickly or vigorously.

4. If you see
something that you think might be mobile, give it a flick with your finger to
see if you can give it a jumpstart. Then, continue moving it back and forth to
see if it can move.

5. I suggest
examining the crystal outside during the daytime under magnification. You can
also adjust the amount of light passing through the crystal better in daylight
by repositioning your body. Indoor lighting may cast too many shadows or
reflections from other things, especially the TV. If you prefer examining it
inside, do it next to a window with a lot of light coming through it, or under
only one light source. Turn off the TV and/or computer monitor!

6. If you find one
particular (or more) area more interesting than the others, place a circle
around that area with a marker. You will be able to instantly find it the next
time you view it.

7. More than
likely you will examine the crystal many times and continue to find new things
inside of it each time you look!

8. Phase One
enhydros and fluid inclusions may be difficult to locate at first. After some time you will be able
to identify them as such. Many of them are quite small. You may be able to make
out their shapes. They actually look like they have water in them, or have a
mirror-like appearance, as if you are looking through water. Sometimes the
fluid's edges will move slightly when you reposition the crystal, making them
easier to locate.

9. The more
magnification you have, the better the view! Warning...these crystals are
addictive :-)

A Really Brief History of
Herkimer Diamonds

By W. David
Hoisington, Ph.D.

Herkimer diamonds are found in Herkimer county, New York. They are very shiny quartz
crystals that are doubly terminated (coming to a point at both ends of the
crystal) and at first look they shine like a diamond. There are many
places outside of New York
that claim to have Herkimer diamonds, but they are mislabeled. Herkimer
diamonds come from only one place in the world.

Over the course of Earth’s history this
place in New York
was the location for a unique sequence of overlapping of events. This
unique sequence of events started around 500 million years near an ancient
shoreline. Over millions of years sedimentary rocks were formed at this
shoreline and they had large open holes along certain layers. Sometime
later (300 to 400 million years ago), deep within the Earth, fluids containing
gas, oil, salt and dissolved quartz (and a few other things) moved up along
cracks and then out along these layers that had all the holes. As the
fluids moved into the holes the solutions helped to “grow” the doubly terminated
quartz crystals called Herkimer diamonds. Today you can crack open the
rock and find a hole with a couple, or a larger hole with a hundred, Herkimer
diamonds inside.

This is a really brief history and the
details are more complex and varied across all the different deposits in what
is called the “Herkimer Diamond Mining District.” For more detailed
information please visit the "Herkimer History" website via the link
provided below.

**HerkimerHistory.com is an excellent website with
tons of information, including ongoing research! You can help too!**

Enhydro Lore:

An enhydro is a mineral or crystal which
naturally contains fluid/water; the fluid could be eons of years old and is
most likely quite pure; they are said to help one to recognize and understand
the true feelings of another; they support the empathetic state; they provide
for the coupling of imagination and practicality; they induce sensibility and
acceptance of responsibility; they contain life-sustaining energy, which can
decrease stress and allow one to be more adaptable to changes; they assist in
metamorphosis and continued change throughout all times; impetus and catalytic
motion are enhanced; they are most useful in
healing; they assist in bringing the body to the state or specified condition
that one is attempting to attain; they enhance the healing properties of all
minerals; consider greatly the water cycle, without which no life could exist
anywhere on Mother Earth's surface; water is the World's most valuable
resource; human beings must not be allowed to turn its lifeblood into poison by
polluting it; water helps maintain the body's functions, and is taken in to
slake ones thirst and to help maintain the body's fluid and electrolyte
balances; the main component of our bodies is water.

**If
the images and/or text on any of the web pages do not appear evenly spaced and
centered on your screen, which commonly occurs with AOL pages, maximize the individual
page's window. That should resolve the problem.